“JUDGE NOT…?”
SELECTED SCRIPTURES

I. Introduction
What is the single most well-known verse in the Bible? I think most people would say…
John 3:16 (KJV)
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

This verse is generally directed outward to the lost world – a verse that is at the heart of evangelism. John 3:16 is seen and heard so often by the lost world that, even in today’s secularized society, many non-Christians know it.

But in the last generation or so another verse of Scripture seems to be replacing John 3:16 as the most often repeated verse in the Bible. At least that seems to be the case among Christians. It is…
Matthew 7:1 (KJV)
1 “Judge not, that ye be not judged.”

This verse is generally directed, not to the lost world, but from one Christian to another – one Christian saying to another, often in a rather indignant but humble fashion, “Who are you to judge?” Who indeed?

Last Sunday morning we studied Romans 1 and saw what God says about His inevitable judgment of the unrighteous. We also looked at the beginning verses of Romans 2 and saw that the self-righteous will be judged as well. In fact, had we moved on into Romans 3, we would have seen that even the most pious and religious – either Jew or Gentile – is facing the very same judgment of God. Why?
*Romans 3:10-18, 23
10 …as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one;
11 There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God;
12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, there is not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave, with their tongues they keep deceiving,” “The poison of asps is under their lips”;
14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness”;
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood,
16 Destruction and misery are in their paths,
17 And the path of peace have they not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
23 …for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…

Last Sunday, in Romans 1:29-31, we saw God’s definition of human depravity.
Turn back to Romans 1:29 and look at it again. Lost man is “…filled with all unright-eousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobe-dient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful.”

Unbelievers will be judged for their sin of unbelief as well as for their works, the things that they have done. And we already know that believers will be judged for the quality of their works since they came to saving faith. To be sure, the believers’ sin will not be in question. That was judged at the cross when Jesus laid down His life and paid the price for it. The Lord’s judgment of our works will determine our eternal reward.
*2 Corinthians 5:10
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, (so) that each one (of us) may be recompensed for his deeds in the body according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

The Bible has a lot to say about God’s judgment of both unbelievers and believers as well. It seems that there’s a whole lot of judgment going on. If you are a Christian, you can take great comfort in knowing that God’s judgment is pure and holy and righteous. But the judgment spoken of in this morning’s text – “Do not judge lest you be judged.” – is not about righteous judgment at all. On the contrary, it’s about unrighteous and hypo-critical judgment.

Do you remember the last time you were told not to judge something you had seen or heard? Chances are someone asked you (rather self-righteously), “Who are you to judge?” Chances are you were made to feel a little embarrassed and even ashamed. And did that leave you a little bit confused? All you did was point out that someone else’s belief, action, or lifestyle was morally, ethically, or biblically wrong.

But you’re a Christian! Aren’t you supposed to do that? Don’t you have the Spirit of God living in you? Shouldn’t you be able to recognize sin and evil when you see or hear it? What if you had just been reading the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the church at Cor-inth? And what if you had come across this?
*1 Corinthians 2:15
15 But he who is spiritual appraises (judges) all things, yet he himself is appraised (judged) by no man.

What if you had just read Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi and come across this?
*Philippians 1:9-10
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, (“Why?”)
10 so (in order) that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ.

There are three important words in these verses – “appraise,” “discern,” and “approve.”
In 1 Corinthians 2:15 the Greek word translated “appraise” is “anakrinō.” It means to examine, to discern, and yes, to judge. It carries with it the idea that we are to scrutinize and investigate the things that we see and hear. But you were just told to, “Judge not…”

In Philippians 1:9 the Greek word translated “discernment” in v. 9 is “aísthēsis,” (“ah-ee-sthay-sis”). It means to evaluate and to perceive by the use of both your mind and your natural senses. It refers to your perception and your knowledge of a particular situation. We are called to use what we know and what we have learned so that we make judgments that are right in God’s eyes. But someone just told you to, “Judge not…”

In Philippians 1:10 the Greek word translated “approve” is “dokimázō.” It means to test, to distinguish, and to try, as in a trial. In fact, this is what is done in a court room by a judge and jury.

What it all comes down to is this. Paul is urging us to grow in the grace and knowledge of God and His Word so that we will be able to recognize truth, distinguish it from error, and know the difference. How can you do that without making some judgments? But this can be confusing because Jesus clearly said, “Judge not…” So why am I confused? Doesn’t Scripture say, “…for God is not a God of confusion…” (1 Corinthians 14:33)

…I find myself confused. What’s going on here?
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II. Text
Let’s look at the passage in question again. But don’t just take v. 1; look at its context.
*Matthew 7:1-5
1 “Do not judge lest you be judged.
2 “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.
3 “And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
4 “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, there is a log in your own eye?
5 “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

Jesus is not referring to a Christian’s careful appraisal of a particular situation. He is not referring to a believer’s spiritual discernment. Neither is He referring to things you and I are called to test and approve. In Matthew 7:1-5 the Lord is talking about hypocritical (unrighteous) judgment. Let me say it again. He’s not talking about biblically-based God-given spiritual discernment. The lesson of Matthew 7:1 should be clear. You cannot judge others for their sin if you are guilty of the same sin. That is called hypocrisy!

Now look at the very next verse, Matthew 7:6. How are you going to obey v. 6 if you cannot make some serious judgments about people?
*Matthew 7:6
6 “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”

In reference to this verse John MacArthur points out that this is the very reason Jesus did not perform miracles for those who hated God (dogs and pigs). “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine…” What is holy? How do you know? Who are the dogs? How do you know? Listen, it is obvious that you and I are required to make some serious judgments here, isn’t it?

The bottom line is that we are to have respect for the gospel and all of God’s truth, for that matter, because it is a holy thing. We are to make moral distinctions so that we can know how to handle God’s Word before a lost and dying world.

Now we know that we are to love our enemies. But when they demonstrate contempt for God’s truth, they are acting as if they were dogs and pigs. And we are not to allow holy things to be trampled into the ground. Therefore, Jesus Himself says that we are not to repeatedly place the gospel (The Pearl of Great Price) in front of those who hate it.

Do I know when you should withhold holy things – the gospel included – from someone? No, I do not! No, I do not! That’s because such decisions are between you and the Holy Spirit who lives in you. But make no mistake; there is a time when God will make that decision.
Proverbs 29:1
1 A man who hardens his neck after much reproof will suddenly be broken (KJV says “destroyed”) beyond remedy. (back to Matthew 7:1-6)

Do any of you honestly believe that God doesn’t want you to be able to discern the differ-ence between those who hate the truth and your true brothers and sisters in Christ? But then we hear, “Who are you to judge…?”

Today, both the outside world and far too many within the church will condemn you if you have the audacity to examine, discern, evaluate, distinguish, or judge anything that God has given you the insight and the wisdom to be able to examine, discern, evaluate, distinguish, or judge.

Listen, this is a tragedy of monumental proportions because the Church of Jesus Christ is being cowed and shamed into silence. And in this, the enemy of our souls is winning. Satan is winning by using our own Scriptures against us. And the worst of it is some of us are unwittingly acting as his soldiers. Oh, how we need to know our Bibles!

A Christian must make judgments about all kinds of things. This is especially true about things going on in the church and about those who claim to be believers. (We’re still in Matthew 7.)
*Matthew 7:15-16a
15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
16a “You will know them by their fruits…”

Who is a false prophet? How do you know? Who looks like a sheep, but is really a wolf? How do you know? Again, we are required to make judgments, aren’t we? We are called to examine, discern, evaluate, distinguish, and make spiritual judgments every day of our Christian lives. (We’re still in Matthew 7.)

In vv. 21-23 Jesus says one of the most terrifying things He says anywhere in the gospels. Remember the context. It is false prophets who are the ones being spoken of here. It is false prophets who are those who claim to know Jesus, but prove by their preaching and teaching (their fruit) that Jesus doesn’t know them.
*Matthew 7:21-23
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.
22 “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’
23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”

Ask yourself this, “Do I think for even a moment that God does not want me to be able to discern who the false prophets are and then do my best to expose them?”
Then ask yourself this, “How can I be wary of false prophets if I am forbidden to make judgments about what they say, what they do, and what they are?”

Listen, the Bible does not teach the Christian to respond to the preacher down the street who preaches half of the gospel or none of the gospel or an outright false gospel by say-ing, “Who am I to judge?” Let me tell you who you are. You are a Christian in whom God has placed His Holy Spirit to teach you, guide you, empower you, and give you the wisdom and spiritual discernment He knows you need to be able to judge truth.

Do not let the world or other Christians stifle your ability to obey God in this. We have a responsibility to judge, but that responsibility requires us to judge righteously.
John 7:24
24 “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judg-ment.” (Is Jesus contradicting what He said in Matthew 7:1? Of course not!)

What is righteous judgment? It is judgment according to the Word of God. It is the judg-ment used by mature Christians who are able to differentiate between truth and error. And it is critical that the church exercise such righteous judgment. Well, just what exact-ly is it we are supposed to judge? We’ve already heard about false prophets.
Are there other people or issues God expects us to judge and then act upon? How about those who cause trouble within the body of Christ, the church? I’m not talking about simple everyday disagreements over minor issues. Listen to Paul…
Romans 16:17-18
17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.
18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appe-tites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

How can you obey that if all judging is wrong?

What about close personal alliances or trying to have Christian fellowship with unbeliev-ers? In the NT Paul quotes Isaiah and says…
2 Corinthians 6:17
17 “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you.”

How can you obey that if all judging is wrong?

There are at least five major areas where the judgment or discernment of the mature Christian is absolutely necessary. In fact, they are critical! Each one of them addresses an issue that, if ignored, could ultimately destroy the local church. They are…
1. judging those who preach a false gospel
2. judging sin in the church
3. judging that which is taught in the church
4. judging spirits
5. judging those who claim to be Christians (turn to Galatians 1)

1. We are to judge those who preach a false gospel. Paul’s words in the opening chapter of his letter to the churches in Galatia leaves no doubt.
*Galatians 1:8-9
8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed. (anathema)

“Who are we to judge?” We’re Christians and we are required to make that judgment. The very survival of the gospel depends on it.

2. We are to judge sin in the church. In the church at Corinth a member of the church was found in a sexual relationship with his father’s wife. Most commentators believe the woman was not his mother but his stepmother. But does it really matter?
The point is that there was blatant and unrepentant sin in the church. And the church was ignoring it. Do you suppose they were saying, “Who are we to judge?”
*1 Corinthians 5:1-3
1 It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife.
2 And you have become arrogant, and have not mourned instead, in order that the one who has done this deed might be removed from your midst.
3 For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present.

Paul goes on to remind them that such sin in the church must be removed and tells them that they are not even to associate themselves with one who calls himself a Christian but lives in a state of continuous and open sin.
*1 Corinthians 5:12-13
12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? (But) Do you not judge those who are within the church?
13 But those who are outside, God judges. (But you) Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.

“Who are we to judge?” The very purity of the church depends on our judgment.

3. We are to judge what is taught in the church. Paul instructs the Elders to pass judg-ment on that which the other Elders preach and teach.
*1 Corinthians 14:29
29 And let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment.

The leadership in the church needs to monitor the leadership in the church. Can you see the problem if a church becomes is “a one-man show?” “Who are we to judge?” The very words preached are to be judged by you and your leaders.

4. We are to judge spirits. This is not referring to the Holy Spirit. Rather, it is saying that we need to recognize that there are demonic spirits as well, and they are producing false teachers, and therefore, false teachings.
*1 John 4:1
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test “dokimázō.” the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

We are to test everything we hear. There are a lot of lies out there. “Who are we to judge?” We are those who are commanded to judge (discern) the difference between the truth-tellers and the liars.

5. We are to judge those who claim to be Christians but are not.
*2 John 9-11
9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting;
11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.

A word of caution is necessary here. John is not talking about someone who differs with you on minor theological points. He is talking about heretics, those who deny the “fun-damentals of the faith,” if you will. Every true Christian may not agree with every other true Christian on the fine points of things like modes of water baptism or the precise or-der of events of the last days. But every true Christian must believe in…
• The inerrancy of Scripture
• The deity of Christ
• His virgin birth
• His substitutionary atonement
• His bodily resurrection from the dead
• His ultimate return in power and glory

In 2 John 9-11 John is saying that aiding those who deny these core truths aids them in their heresy. “Who are we to judge?” We are those who are commanded to recognize and judge heretics and heretical teaching. What are we to do about them? There are two things: First, we are not to fellowship with them. Second, we are to expose them.
Ephesians 5:11
11 And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them.

This is especially necessary in the church. And it is rarely done anymore. And because it is so rarely done, the purity and testimony of the church has suffered greatly. Exposing sin doesn’t happen when God’s people refuse to judge sin. In the OT Moses exposed Balaam, Hanani exposed Jehoshaphat, and Nathan exposed David. In the NT Paul exposed Hymenaeus, Alexander, Demas, and Philetus. And John exposed the sin of Dia-trophes. Who among us would question their right to do what they did?

And there’s one other area where we need to think rightly about making judgments. Each time we take communion we are supposed to judge ourselves, aren’t we?
*1 Corinthians 11:28-29
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
29 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he does not judge the body rightly.

Other than God Himself, who besides yourself is better able to judge the thoughts and motives of your own heart? Finally, we need to be judging for a very practical reason.
*1 Corinthians 6:2-3
2 …do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts?
3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more (then), mat-ters of this life?

“Who are we to judge?” We are God’s chosen, His elect, those who will be alongside Jesus Christ and associated with Him in the judgment to come.
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III. Conclusion
One word of caution before we close… Are there things we should not judge? Yes, there are. We should not judge those things about which the Scriptures are silent. We are not to make more of something than God does. When we do that we become legalists. But for everything the Scriptures do address…?
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;
22 abstain from every form of evil.

“Examine” here in v. 21 is the same word we’ve seen twice before, “dokimázō.” So Paul tells us again to examine, discern, evaluate, distinguish, and make spiritual judg-ments. You cannot hold fast to the good and abstain from the evil if you refuse to judge.

I want to close with this practical application. Here once again is the depravity of man.
*2 Timothy 3:1-5
1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather that lovers of God,
5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; and avoid such men as these.

“…avoid such men as these.” How? We need to know who they are. We need to be dis-cerning. And we need to judge what is false, and we need to cling to what is good. You and I are to stand for the purity of the gospel, to know God’s truth, to defend it, and to do all we can to protect the church from false teachers and their lies. Please don’t let your-self be intimidated or silenced by those who either don’t know God’s Word, or who deli-berately stand against it. “Who are we to judge?” We are God’s people, that’s who!
~ Pray ~